The Ruler of Sharjah and his wife urged people to play an active role in protecting refugee families, during a meeting with Rohingya refugees in Kuala Lumpur.
Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children, stressed the need for the international community to act to provide refugees with the requirements for a dignified life, including shelter, food, health and education.
During a visit to the Harmony Refugee Learning Centre in the Malaysian capital, Dr Sheikh Sultan and Sheikha Jawaher met Rohingya refugee families from Myanmar and heard about their arduous journeys to asylum.
“The entire world is morally bound to protect the future of Myanmar’s Rohingya refugees,” said Sheikha Jawaher. “We are with you with our hearts and our actions. We came here to assess your conditions on the ground and listen to your requirements and needs.”
She pledged to continue to work with UNHCR, with the support of Dr Sheikh Sultan, to mobilise support for them and meet their needs until they are able to return home.
They also met students who were educated at the centre. Sheikha Jawaher gave the children school bags with supplies and books, urging them to look to the future with hope and optimism and to focus on their studies.
Sheikha Jawaher encouraged the girls to focus on their education and refuge early marriage or sitting at home without studying.
“My dear daughters, the future still lies ahead,” said Sheikha Jawaher. “With education, you can build what was demolished and help yourselves and your families. You will grow to become physicians, engineers, teachers and leaders.
“Don’t accept early marriage for any reason. You are the future and with education and knowledge, you will be tomorrow’s builders and future leaders.”
According to UNHCR, about 53,700 Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers were registered with the agency in Malaysia as of the end of February this year.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
Company Profile
Name: HyveGeo
Started: 2023
Founders: Abdulaziz bin Redha, Dr Samsurin Welch, Eva Morales and Dr Harjit Singh
Based: Cambridge and Dubai
Number of employees: 8
Industry: Sustainability & Environment
Funding: $200,000 plus undisclosed grant
Investors: Venture capital and government
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."